Grayville experiencing financial distress on small scale

But it is experiencing financial distress on a smaller scale than the Michigan metropolis.

Grayville's operating funds are $8,439.52 in the red, City Treasurer Sharon Walden told the City Council at its meeting Monday night.

Even though the city just received $31,000 from White County in property tax proceeds, recent water well repairs necessitated an unexpected $30,000 expenditure, so the tax money is spent already, she noted.

And just prior to Walden's report, the Council approved payment of some $80,000 in bills, according to City Clerk JoEllen Seil.

Unlike Detriot, whose recourse is to seek bankruptcy protection, Grayville does have resources to fall back upon.

"We'll have to move some money to pay some bills," Walden told the Council.

Funds from the gas department were loaned to the general fund on previous occasions. "This time I don't believe we'll be paying it all back," Walden said.

Walden said she is unsure at this point how much she will need to transfer. Brock motioned to "let her move whatever money she needs to pay the bills," and it was approved unanimously.

Walden reported the city's restricted funds stand at $879,893.07 and investments at $873,888.21. Combined with the operating deficit, city accounts total $1,745,341.76.

The city's financial condition may prevent it from undertaking the demolition of dangerous buildings, Mayor Joe Bisch indicated.

He provided estimates of $42,000 to demolish the old Gray Block and $19,000 for the razing of the old Horste Meat Market downtown.

Also, he received an estimate of $8,200 to take down an abandoned residence on W. North St., which he said was bumped because it has asbestos siding.

"Those are some things to mull around, and mull is about all we're going to do," Bisch said, moving on.

Financial troubles did not deter the Council from making two other expenditures.

The installation of a gate valve and a "T" at the city's No. 4 water well was approved, with parts to cost $3,687.

The work, to be performed by Brotke Well & Pump, will allow the well to be serviced without having to completely disassemble it, Utility Supt. Ron Cowles said.

Brotke is in the course of servicing the well-which at present has a stationary discharge line-and is due back in town in the next few days, Cowles said, which will trim expenses and labor cost if the upgrade is performed now.

"It will save the city in the long run a lot of money," Cowles said. "Labor isn't going to be very much because they're coming back anyhow."

Cowles noted No. 4 had to be chlorinated again after a sample failed. Two samples in a row must show zero chloroform in order to pass muster with state regulators, he said.

"The state of Illinois is stricter than anyone else," observed Bisch.

Cowles said No. 4 is presently off-line and can only be used for filling tankers. The city is currently depending on wells No. 1 and No. 3 for its fresh water supply.

"As many wells as we can keep going, we'll be better off," noted Water Commissioner Andy Linnemann.

Also, the Council approved installation of Grayville's police radio frequency in the White County dispatching console.

Chief of Police Mark Worlds earlier told the Council the move is necessary because their in-car radios cannot reach the dispatch center in Carmi. Jim Funkhouser of Mobile Radio Specialists of Grayville estimated the cost at $2,500 to $2,700, he said.

The matter was tabled at the last meeting because it was not listed on the agenda. It was approved unanimously Monday night.

The Council briefly discussed a proposal by the Grayville High School FFA to operate a hog confinement pen at the school, which would accommodate a single swine.

City Attorney Jay Walden said the city's zoning code gives little direction in the matter, although the school property is zoned agricultural. State statute gives the city authority to control or monitor animal husbandry, but "I'm not sure it's addressed in our existing ordinances."

Bisch said he contacted school administrators, and "as far as they're concerned, it's a go for them if the city allows it."

"I'm not too excited about farm animals in the city limits," Brock said, and Bisch noted no decision could be rendered because the item was not on the agenda.

The Council did not act on a request from Dr. Suman Patel, owner of the Windsor Oaks Inn, to tap revolving loan fund monies to assist with a $429,600 "modernization" of the facility. Bisch said Patel is still in the process of putting together his application.

In other business:

• The Council approved bucket brigades at the intersection of Court and North for Casey's General Store's fundraiser for St. Jude's on Oct. 5; the Grayville Lions Club's Candy Day on Oct. 12; and the Grayville VFW's Flag Day on Oct. 19.

• Cowles reported the city's water tower will be cleaned Saturday.

• Brock asked Cowles to find out who destroyed city gas transmission line markers with a bushhog so they can be billed for the damage.

• And Bisch commended those involved with making Grayville Days a success, in particular Mike Knight and his crew of White County Jail community service workers and city employees.

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